The new UAB men's basketball locker room opened prior to 2013-14 season.

May 6, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The Men's Basketball Locker Room, located at 617 13th Street South in Bartow Arena, will soon be designated as the Ronald K. Richey Locker Room. The Ronald K. and Florence E. Richey Charitable Fund made the lead gift toward the project as a matching gift, and several other generous donors have met the challenge.

"A first-class university needs first-class athletic programs to attract and develop student-athletes," says Linda Richey Graves, daughter of Ronald Richey. "Our family has followed [UAB Men's Basketball] Coach Jerod Haase first as a top-flight student-athlete and now as a coach. There was no hesitation when we were asked to be a part of this enhancement. We hope this gift helps play it forward and will encourage other gifts that will continue to build UAB."

Under the direction of head coach Jerod Haase, the UAB men's basketball team has greatly benefited from this capital project. Top-notch facilities are essential for recruiting and sustaining the most talented student-athletes. Gifts received toward the project have provided an incredible opportunity for the men's basketball program at UAB.

"This locker room has been phenomenal for our program," Haase says. "It has exceeded any expectations and has absolutely blown us away. We are stressing in our program the importance of doing everything first class. With this new locker room, our players understand there is a great commitment from the university and our staff to having a first-class program."

The UAB Men's Basketball Locker Room Enhancement Project rivals the most impressive locker rooms in the country. The old 1,010-square-foot locker room was expanded to approximately 1,500 square feet and includes a state-of-the-art locker room and team lounge. The enhanced facility also features a coaches' locker room and lounge, nutrition room, and 16 walnut wood-veneer player lockers, helping to position UAB men's basketball as one of the premier programs in the country once again.

"We are extremely grateful to the Richey family for their lead gift," UAB Athletic Director Brian Mackin says. "Their generosity has already made an impact on our program and will continue to benefit Blazer student-athletes for years to come."

For more information about giving to UAB Athletics, visit www.blazerboosters.com.